We conduct research on promising strategies and evaluate programs that have the potential to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

Mobility undertakes a rigorous approach to research and evaluation in order to identify promising efforts, test their effectiveness and glean lessons for program practice and policy.  We combine the analysis of quantitative data with interviews, focus groups and program observation in order to identify strategies’ critical elements and examine not only if an intervention works but why it works and for whom.

Mobility is highly-regarded for its rigorous evaluations of workforce development programs. In fact, the last five organizations that we recommended undertake a random-controlled trial evaluation have each demonstrated large, statistically-significant earnings impacts. These include Project QUEST, Year Up, Per Scholas, JVS-Boston and Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership.

Mobility has also conducted rigorous evaluations using comparison groups. Our evaluation of ARRA-funded subsidized jobs program found participants enjoyed significantly-higher earnings after their subsidized jobs ended.

We partner with leading practitioners to help them improve performance.

Mobility works with leading workforce development organizations to help them assess and improve program performance. Our support includes program design, development of performance measures, and analysis of factors related to successful outcomes. Partners include Year Up, Per Scholas, DC Central Kitchen and the Creating IT Futures Foundation (COMPTIA).

We design initiatives to help adults and youth achieve economic success.

Mobility employs a disciplined process grounded in its extensive knowledge of research and effective practice to create innovative approaches to program design and implementation. These include

• Wounded Warrior Careers Mobility partnered with the National Organization on Disability and the Army Wounded Warriors to design an initiative to provide job training and career guidance to seriously injured soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
• Partnerships for Skills Gains Mobility is identifying market-based partnerships between employers and workforce organizations to upgrade the skills of entry-level workers. The project focuses on partnerships led by employers, nonprofits, community colleges and workforce development boards.